Definition
The combined action of two or more components, systems, or forces working together to produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Plain English
When two or more things work together and the result is bigger or better than what each could do on its own.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see this word in discussions of crew coordination, cockpit workload, maintenance teamwork, or aircraft systems that support each other.
Derivation
From the Greek 'synergos,' meaning 'working together' (syn- = together, ergon = work). The aviation use keeps this original sense: parts cooperating to achieve more than they could separately.
Why Pilots Care
Many aircraft systems and crew procedures are designed around synergy. A two-pilot crew, for example, isn't just twice as safe as one pilot — properly trained, the cross-checking and shared workload produce a safety improvement greater than simple addition.
Intuition Check
Synergy does not just mean “teamwork.” It means the combined result is better because the parts are interacting well.
Example Sentence 1
The synergy between the autopilot and the flight director reduces pilot workload more than either system would on its own.
Example Sentence 2
Proper rigging created synergy between the ailerons and rudder, improving roll coordination without extra pilot input.